Pioneer In Short

Karnataka: Form-7 row intensifies

An FIR has been registered at Vyalikaval Police Station in Bengaluru following a complaint alleging that 778 “false” Form-7 applications were submitted during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The complaint, filed by Congress leader Anoop Iyengar, alleges that applications were submitted in Ward 64 of Malleshwaram constituency claiming voters were absent or had permanently shifted, despite allegedly continuing to reside there. Meanwhile, BJP State president B Y Vijayendra alleged that the State Government was pressuring police to register cases against BJP workers over Form-7.

Booth agent Vasantha Lakshmi has been named in the FIR. Police are investigating the allegations.

Meanwhile, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra alleged that the State Government was pressuring police to register cases against BJP workers over Form-7 applications. He said Form-7 was a legitimate provision for objecting to duplicate or deceased voters and warned that the BJP would take to the streets if police action continued.

Delhi police accused of sexual harassment

Three women journalists have alleged sexual harassment by police personnel during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 3, prompting the Delhi Police to transfer their complaints to the Crime Branch for an impartial enquiry, an officer said on Sunday. One of the journalists alleged that Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat sexually assaulted her while she was covering the protest. She said police were detaining protesters and no women personnel were present at the spot. After she questioned the ACP about the absence of women officers, he allegedly assaulted and pushed her, she alleged. The journalist said she and others went to a police station to lodge a complaint but no FIR was registered.

The New Delhi district police received complaints related to the alleged incidents and transferred them to the Crime Branch, which will record statements of the complainants and others concerned, the officer said. The Press Club of India expressed “shock and dismay” over the alleged treatment of journalists and urged the Delhi Police to act on the complaint. It said journalists must be allowed to work freely and without fear while covering protests and public issues.